NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/10307

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From: [e-mail] (Rich Winkel)
Subject: CODEHUCA: UN HR conference #3
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/** carnet.alerts: 123.0 **/
** Topic: human rights conference # 3 **
** Written  8:13 pm  Jan 19, 1993 by nicarao:codehuca in cdp:carnet.alerts **
PRESS RELEASE 3
January 19, 1993, San Jose, Costa Rica
     N.B. - SHORT WAVE RADIO LISTENERS - you can listen to live
coverage of the Pre-Con on short wave radio on the frequencies of:
i- 7375 khz, in the 41 metre band; ii- 7385 khz, usb, in the 41
metre band; 13630 khz, usb, in the 22 metre band; and 15030 khz in
the 19 metre band. The human rights Pre-Con will be broadcast
between 0000 - 0400 u.t.c.
     This Pre-Con, being held in San Jose, Costa Rica, from January
18-22, is a Latin American and Caribbean Regional meeting, leading
up to the World Conference.

1-   HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN
     We reproduce a copy of the 16 points that have ben presented
to this Pre-Con, and to the local and international press. The
sixteen points contain concrete analytical criticisms of the
international human rights movement and comments as to how to
improve the situation of the human rights of women.

SATELLITE MEETING "LA NUESTRA"
Diagnosis and Strategies Concerning
the Human Rights of Women

The following sixteen points are part of a more extensive document,
the "Final Document", produced by the delegates from Latin America
and the Caribbean to the Satellite Meeting "La Nuestra" held in
Costa Rica, December 3rd to 5th, 1992. This document was presented
before the United Nations Preparatory Conference to the World
Conference on Human Rights Committee.

The objective of the sixteen selected points is to bring to the
attention of the participants of the Regional Conference to be held
in San Jose, January 18th through 22nd, 1993, the petitions that we
consider very important.

For the integral comprehension of the sixteen points, it is
necessary to set out the following considerations:

I- That it is necessary, for the recognition of women's human
rights, to include our diversity as women of distinct ages,
races/ethnicities, social-economic conditions, disabilities, sexual
preferences, geographical locations, civil status, etc.

II- That as long as there is no right for women to a life without
violence, and no adoption of necessary measures to resolve the
structural violence against women, it will not be possible to
advance towards the construction of a sustainable peace process.

III- That the cause of the inequality that women suffer is found in
a masculine dominated sex/gender system that, through its distinct
historical manifestations, has discriminated against us and
invisibilized our reality and our support.

IV- That only by incorporating a gender perspective in the theory
and practice of human rights will it be possible for them not to be
partial in favour of the masculine gender.

V- That by gender perspective we mean the inclusion of the multiple
forms of subordination and discrimination, used by men, that we
experience. These forms are experienced differently, but
nonetheless discriminatorily, by women of different ages,
ethnicity/race, social-economic condition, disabilities, sexual
preference, geographical location, etc.

THEREFORE WE RECOMMEND AND ASK
1- That our needs and demands be reflected in the instruments and
mechanisms of protection and promotion of existing human rights,
and that their negation be considered a violation of human rights.

2- That the World Conference guarantee the ample participation of
non-governmental organizations that work with women, and establish
formal mechanisms to promote an interchange between the NGO's and
the official delegates in the fourth Preparatory Conference and the
World Conference.

3- That each country incorporate a gender perspective in all
reports and analyses being prepared for the World Conference,
concerning the state of human rights in their respective countries.

4- That the agenda of the World Conference include in its
considerations, with respect to all its themes, the recognition and
implementation of the human rights of women.

5- That the UN push the ratification of the Convention to Eliminate
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women on the part of the
countries that have not yet ratified it and recommend mechanisms to
examine and eliminate the use of reserves to the Convention that
the States have formulated as obstacles to its effective
implementation.

6- That the UN adopt mechanisms to train all persons working there,
or who work as experts, consultants, etc., in the matter of gender
perspective, so that its work is guaranteed to contain no
partiality to the masculine gender, visibilizing, as well, the
reality of women.

7- That the UN implement its mandates in a non-sexist form and
adopt gender sensitive methods to evaluate the efficiency of the
mechanisms that it pushes.

8- That the UN declare that the violence against women, because
they are women (gender violence), is a violation of human rights
and rapidly adopt the 'Project of a Declaration Concerning the
Violence Against Women" ("Proyecto de Declaracion sobre Violencia
Contra la Mujer"), promoting a process to consider a 'Convention to
Sanction Against, Prevent and Eradicate Violence Against Women'
("Convencion para Sancionar, Prevenir, y Erradicar la Violencia
Contra las Mujeres") that recognizes the right of women to live
free of violence, establishes the obligation of the States to
prevent and sanction against gender violence, even when it is
inflicted by private citizens, and that contains effective
mechanisms for applying this obligation internationally.

9- That the processes, agreements, and political platforms,
negotiated between parties in conflict, to achieve peace, include
methods to eradicate and sanction against violence towards women as
an indispensable condition for a sustainable peace.

10- That a detailed summary of existing studies concerning the
impact of neo-liberal economic policies on the condition of women
be carried out by the Special UN Relator concerned with economic,
social and cultural rights.

11- That an optional protocol to the International Covenant of
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights be considered to permit
denouncements and investigations against the violations of these
rights.

12- That mechanisms be created that permit investigation, reports
and denouncements concerning the policies of international
organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary
Fund, etc.

13- That in 1993, the Year of the Indigenous Peoples, the UN
accomplish: a) the integration of the experience and wisdom of the
indigenous peoples to develop a sustainable existence in harmony
with the survival and reproduction of the environment; b) that the
indigenous peoples have their own voice in the UN; c) that the
particular rights of indigenous women, as set out in their own
declarations and petitions, be recognized.

14- That the UN define clear policies, and with fixed time
limitations, for the total demilitarization of air and land space,
as a form of protecting and aiding the survival of humanity and the
planet.

15- That the UN redefine the policies of sustainable development so
as to incorporate the concept of sustainable existence.

16- That the States develop mechanisms to inform the World
Conference concerning the women's event to be held in China in
1995, and that the World Human Rights Conference approve and fully
support it.

San Jose, Costa Rica    December 5, 1993
ILSA-CLADEM LINKING COMMITTEE
Tel. [phone]  ext. 233 and 253
Person in charge: Maria Soledad Serrano

     -2- The governments of Latin America are here to agree upon a
uniform position, with respect to human rights, that they will then
take to Vienna, in July, 1993, to present to the World Conference
on Human Rights.
     One of the main themes being addressed with there is that of
social, economic and cultural rights - that these have never really
been properly dealt with by the United Nations nor the Member
Organizations; a second related theme is that of the relation
between development, human rights and democracy.
     In response to this, a number of Latin American governments
are criticizing the imposition of import quotas by the European
Community on Latin American bananas. Bernard Niehaus (Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica) and Arnold Lopez Echandi (Vice-
President of Costa Rica) argue in favour of an international order
that guarantees access to free international markets. Lopez claimed
that "without access to the international markets, the poor
countries will not be able to attain adequate levels of development
and cooperate in the consolidation of peace and respect for human
rights in the region".
     This position is worrisome to CODEHUCA because again the
governments of the region are abdicating their obligations to take
"immediate" steps (International Covenant of Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights) to promote and guarantee human rights, blaming
their problems on the first world nations.
     Another problem is that this position in no way questions the
actual development model. CODEHUCA firmly believes that serious
questioning must be done concerning the export orienteered economy
(one that is promoted by the first world nations and the World Bank
and the International Monetary Fund) and that contributes to the
perpetuation of economic, social and cultural rights violations.
     CODEHUCA agrees that first world actions have a large quota of
responsibility in perpetuating an international economic order that
disfavours third world nations, but this should not be used as an
excuse by third world governments and the wealthy sectors to demand
more access to first world markets for the production and
exportation of certain primary products, the benefits of which
rarely reach the majorities of third world populations.

     -3- CODEHUCA is extremely concerned that much of the
discussion is dealing with these "development" issues (dominated,
as set out in point two above, by a pro-exportation development
model) and other issues are being ignored. Sonia Picado, Director
of the Inter-American Institute for Human rights, said that while
it was impossible and important not to forget the violations of the
past, it was more important, now, to look to the future and address
issues of corruption and the poor distribution of wealth in Latin
America.
     Leaving aside here the issue of the unjust distribution of
wealth, in which regard CODEHUCA fully agrees with Sonia Picado, we
believe that the possiblity of democracy and peace in the future
depend in large part on dealing with the horrendous crimes of the
past. Moreover, these gross human rights violations continue.
Governments, militaries and para-military groups continuing using
the practice of "disappearancing" persons who work in political
opposition to the government and status quo.
     Moreover, an on-going issue (not as issue of the past) is that
of the whereabouts of the some 100,000 "disappeared" persons (from
the 1970s up till the present), an issue that is in large part
being ignored.
     Another on-going issue (not of the past) is that of bringing
to trial the officials and security force members who have
committed so many human rights violations. This must not be
ignored.
     To ignore this, is to ignore the on-going suffering of the
family members of the "disappeared", perpetuating the impunity of
the institutions that were or are involved in the practice of
"disappearing" persons. This represents a huge obstacle in the way
of achieving peace and democracy that can't be constructed on top
of so many unanswered crimes, whereby criminals are allowed to go
free in society.

     -4- Some of the proposals being addressed here are:
     - the creation of an international criminal court, to be set
in Washington, that would deal with international crimes, genocide,
and crimes against humanity (Andean Commission of Jurists).
     - A United Nations High Commission for Human Rights
(government of Costa Rica) to respond quickly and forceful in
situations of systematic violations of human rights.

     5- Rodrigo Jimenez, representative of the World Organization
of Handicapped Persons, argues that most States look upon
handicapped persons with pity, or amusement. "Close to 95% of
handicapped persons are unemployed and the majority of women and
children, who are handicapped, are victims of other forms of
physical aggression".

     End Communique 3. Contact persons - Grahame Russell and
Marjoleine Motz
** End of text from cdp:carnet.alerts **